|
Home
The Watershed
Interactive Map
About TCCCA
Meetings
Projects/Activities
Meet the Stream Steward
News/Publications
News
Action Alerts
Newsletters
Brochures
Membership
Contact Us
Links |
10 Ways to Protect Your Watershed
The Conewago and its tributaries are in trouble. Biologists have assessed
the Conewago and its tributaries and found the majority of the Watershed
to be impaired. In other words, it is too polluted to sustain the kind of
fish and other aquatic life that it could sustain if it were a healthy
stream. The results of the assessment identified increased sediment and
nutrients from runoff as the major cause of impairment.
In addition, many inconsiderate people dump trash in or near the stream.
Not only is this unpleasant to look at, illegal dumping can harm fish and
other aquatic life if it reaches the stream, especially if the junk
contains fluids such as oil or gasoline.
The ability to make the Conewago Creek Watershed a cleaner, more enjoyable
place to live is in our own hands. Here are ten easy ways that you can
protect your watershed:
1. Create a riparian buffer zone.
If you own property along a stream, don’t mow right up to the banks.
Create a “buffer” zone by planting native grasses, wildflowers, trees and
shrubs. Where you do mow, set the mower blade at three inches so that your
lawn will be better at preventing runoff. If you graze livestock, install
a fence to keep them out of the stream. Contact TCCCA to learn about the
many great stream bank fencing and planting programs available, or click
on Stream Bank Fencing and Riparian Buffer Planting to learn more.
2. Do not throw grass clippings, garden waste or manure in or near
streams.
These items pollute streams by adding excess nutrients and robbing the
stream of oxygen. Instead of throwing it away, try composting yard waste
and other organic waste, and reusing it as mulch for your garden.
3. Limit the use of pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers on your lawn
and garden.
Chemicals that are used on your lawn and garden will wash into streams
during heavy rains, polluting them. Limit your use of them, especially
near streams.
4. Clean up pet waste promptly.
Pet waste can be washed into streams during heavy storm events. Cleaning
up waste promptly prevents it from reaching and polluting streams.
5. Wash your car on grass or gravel areas, or at a car wash that recycles
its water.
Don’t wash your car on the driveway where soapy water can runoff into
storm drains or directly into streams. If you do wash your car yourself,
use a biodegradable, phosphate-free soap.
6. Check your car regularly for leaks and repair them promptly.
If you notice oil or other automotive fluids leaking from your vehicle,
have them repaired. These substances and wash into and pollute our rivers
and streams.
7. Try natural, phosphate-free alternatives to household cleaning
chemicals.
There are many non-toxic alternatives to standard household cleaning
chemicals. Making the switch not only helps protect your watershed, but
makes your home a safer place, too.
8. Never pour toxic substances such as cleaning chemicals, oil,
pesticides, paints, antifreeze or other automotive fluids on the ground or
down the drain.
Improper disposal releases toxic substances directly into our streams and
our groundwater. Instead, dispose of household hazardous waste and waste
oil at approved collection or disposal sites. There are several such
facilities in the area. For information on the disposal or collection site
nearest you, contact the PA Household Hazardous Waste Hotline at
1-800-346-4242.
9. Conserve your water use around the house.
Turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth or wash your face. Consider
installing water-saving showerheads, faucet switches and toilets. If you
have leaky toilets, pipes or faucets, fix them promptly. A leaking faucet
that drips one drop of water per second can waste as much as 3,000 gallons
per year. A leaking toilet can waste as much as 90,000 gallons per year.
10. Join your local watershed group.
Get active in your watershed! TCCCA is doing all kinds of great work to
make a difference on the Conewago, from stream cleanups, to planting
trees, to monitoring water quality and stream health. To learn how to
join, click on Membership.
|
